Growing Organic: the dirt on growing organic food

The idea of “going organic” when it comes to buying organic fruits and vegetables has continued to grow in popularity as people realize it’s value. But what does that mean for those trying to grow organic. Tonight we look behind the grocery store and farmers' markets to explore the secrets behind growing organic food from farmers' fields to local gardens. As the interest in organic produce continues to rise, can farmers keep up? How has San Francisco’s April legislation helped? And what can individuals do in their own back yard, be it the city or the suburb?

Guests:

Jason Mark, a farmer, writer, and veteran environmental activist. His writings on agriculture and the environment have appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle, The Nation, The Progressive, and the Orion. He is the editor of the quarterly magazine Earth Island Journal. When not writing, he co-manages Alemany Farm a three-acre organic fruit and vegetable garden in San Francisco.

Maureen Wilmot, Executive Director of Organic Farming Research Foundation which promotes organic farming in research grants, policy and the continued advancement of the Organic Agenda. Maureen is a trained biologist with strong professional background in policy development, non-profit management and community activism. Her professional and personal life is focused on sustainability, with an emphasis on organic foods, ocean conservation, and green building.

Darryl Wong, one of three owners and managers of Freewheelin Farm. He and his two partners, manage seven acres north of Santa Cruz on the ocean side of Highway One. Together they grow a diverse range of 30-40 crops, all sold through their Community Supported Agriculture program and to restaurants in Santa Cruz, the peninsula and San Francisco. Darryl is a graduate of the Apprenticeship in Ecological Horticulture at UC Santa Cruz and has worked in agriculture since 2004.